Nelson Mandela was the first black president of South Africa who fought his whole life for fairness and justice. He was imprisoned for 27 years for protesting against the South African government's apartheid policies. Upon his death, South Africans mourned deeply in Johannesburg and Soweto, while current South African President Jacob Zuma announced his passing in a televised speech. Mandela was admired around the world for his achievements in battling apartheid and leading South Africa to democracy through nonviolent means.